BioA: Crockett, Mr./Mrs. Orington Avice (Golden - 1942)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Crockett, Schmidt, Strebing, Hanks, Dittner, Hansen

----Sources: The Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 17 Sept. 1942

Crockett, Mr./Mrs. Orington Avice (Golden - 1942)

An open house celebration at the Moose Hall Sunday commemorated the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Crockett. The children of the couple made all arrangements for the 12:30 dinner and reception, which were attended by upwards of 200 relatives and friends. Many lovely bouquets of flowers and gifts, including money, also congratulatory messages via letters, cards and wife, were bestowed upon the couple.

Private Romuald Schmidt preceded his visit to the Crocketts on this occasion with a lovely gold vase and bouquet, which arrived at the home on Friday, Sept. 11th, the date of the anniversary. For the dinner and reception Mrs. Crockett wore a gold corsage while Mr. Crockett wore a yellow and gold rose, this arrangement also being one of the surprises planed by the children.

Orginton Avice Crockett was born in Almira, N. Y., May 9, 1867, the twin brother of Avice Orginton Crockett, now residing at Jersey City, N. J. They were the children of Benjamin B. and Lucy R. (Wilbur) Crockett.

The parents came west to Wisconsin in 1870, when Mr. Crockett was about two years of ago. They settled in Adams County where they lived for two years before coming to Clark County, in 1872, to homestead a 160-acre tract of land. Their first house and outbuildings were erected from hand-hewn logs, later putting up the frame buildings which serve the present owner, August Strebing.

Mr. Crockett grew to manhood in the home township. At the age of 23 he purchased 40 acres of land directly north of his father’s place. Two years later, on the eleventh day of September, 1892, he was married to Miss Maude Hanks, a native of the town of Levis. The couple settled on the groom’s farm in Washburn where they lived until a year ago last April, when they moved to Neillsville, leaving their farm in the hands of their son, Allen, and family. When asked if buildings had previously been erected on his forty, Mr. Crockett answered "No, I built the house right over my bride’s head."

Mr. Crockett had served his township as chairman for about twelve years, also serving on the school board for more than forty years. During his long residence in the township, he had held every office except that of clerk.

Mrs. Crockett was born in the town of Levis to Orin and Ruth Hanks, March 21, 1876, being a member of a family of four children. She attended the Carlisle school in which each of her twelve children later received their eighth grade diplomas. Thirty-six years elapsed between the time when their first child toddled down the road to Carlisle school and the spring when Robert was graduated from the Neillsville High School. Two daughters Ruth and Irene also are graduates of Neillsville High School and each taught for several years in the rural schools of Clark County.

Mr. and Mrs. Crockett were the parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom are living. They are Clifford, Chicago; Ruth, Mrs. Fred Dittner, Gerber, Calif.; Ella, Mrs. Melvin Hansen, Milwaukee; **Rest Cut off. ***